This grants programme is a joint initiative of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and UN Environment, to catalyze implementation of the ICRI Plan of Action 2016-2018 and the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 2/12 on sustainable coral reefs management. Grants under this programme are funded by UN Environment through contributions from France and the Principality of Monaco.

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is an informal partnership among governments, international organisations and non-government organisations. It strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems around the world by implementing Chapter 17 of Agenda 21, which was adopted by the international community at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and calls for the protection and rational use of oceans, seas and coastal areas. The initiative contributes to raising awareness on the importance of and threats to coral reefs and related ecosystems, recognising that they are facing serious degradation mainly due to anthropogenic stresses. The French government is hosting ICRI for the 2016-18 biennium.

UN Environment is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The coral reef work of UN Environment is implemented through a Global Coral Reef Partnership, coordinated by the Coral Reef Unit, which also represents UN Environment in ICRI.

Grants up to USD 60,000 will be awarded to projects aimed at contributing to the implementation of the ICRI plan of action and at protecting and preserving coral reefs and/or related ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on building climate resilience and facilitating coral recovery.

The ICRI/UN Environment Grants Programme is designed to encourage projects that demonstrate and catalyze enhanced protection and management of coral reefs and related ecosystems, in particular by promoting resilience of ecosystems, dependent people and economic sectors. Innovative and replicable projects will be favourably considered.